A Cycling Journey: Red Cliffs, Blue Waters and Green Gables

Activity note: Hotel check-in begins at 3:00 pm.

Afternoon: Program registration begins at 4:00 pm. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Explore downtown Charlottetown for the remainder of the evening. The hotel is within walking distance to the Confederation Centre of the Arts, and Charlottetown’s City Hall.

Activity note: Hybrid bikes (21 speed), helmet and bike rack included in cost; standard pedals and caliper brake system. Please call Road Scholar at 1-800-454-5768 for bicycle upgrades. Van support is available. Cycling approximately 31.9 miles (51.3 km) on paved roads, trails, some inclines and flat terrain. The Confederation Trail features rolled stone dust trails with gentle gradients which don’t exceed 2% (up or down). Van transfer from Charlottetown to Victoria is approximately 45 minutes.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This morning’s presentation will introduce Prince Edward Island and its history. Learn about the people who shaped this province, the Mi’kmaq, French explorers, Acadian farmers, and British military. Transfer by van to Victoria, PEI where we’ll be fitted for our bikes and begin our cycling journey. Enjoy a brief break in Cape Traverse to watch the iceboat display before continuing to Borden.

Lunch: A boxed lunch will be available.

Afternoon: Our cycling journey continues. Your Group Leader will discuss the history of the ferries and the building of Confederation Bridge. Leave Borden on the Confederation Trail and head towards Seven Mile Bay church for a breathtaking view of the Confederation Bridge. The day’s cycling journey will end at Summerside.

Dinner: At the inn.

Evening: Relax at the inn or set-out to explore the evening activities in Summerside, the Island’s second-largest city. Stroll along the lively boardwalk or take in some local entertainment.

Activity note: Cycling approximately 42.9 miles (69.1 km) on a looped route on paved roads, support van available. Some gentle slopes with the potential for strong winds. Cycling Wellington to Summerside is approximately 12.5 miles (20 km).

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Commemorate your journey with a picture at a monument which celebrates the creation of the Trans Canada Trail, before you begin your biking excursion at 8:30 am. Take pleasure in the inspiring scenery as you cycle to Abrams Village, a quaint town which boasts of Acadian architecture and craftsmanship, as well as one of the island’s oldest churches, Our Lady of Mont Carmel Church. Please note, today involves the largest distance of cycling. If at any time, for any reason, you wish to ride in the van, please indicate this desire to your Group Leader or support staff. Whether you cycle all day or ride in the van, the van will be taking all riders to all stops. You won’t miss a thing!

Lunch: Enjoy a lunch and traditional Acadian music by local talent at the Village Musical Acadien

Afternoon: Continue cycling through the North Cape Coastal region where pie is made of seaweed, houses are made from bottles, and Acadian and Mi’kmaq cultures thrive. Learn more about these cultures in Miscouche before riding back to the hotel in Summerside (optional van transfer).

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Activity note: Cycling approximately 19 miles (30.3 km) on paved roads, and over challenging hills. The morning ride features one sharp short hill and continues with rolling hills. The afternoon ride will have several large hills.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Uncover the intricacies of agriculture on PEI as explained by an expert, featured between 8:00 am – 9:00 am at the hotel. Learn how the province’s unique geology and topography have affected, not just the types of produce grown, but also influence local culture and cuisine. This morning’s lecture will discuss the famed PEI potatoes, red soil, and the origins of agriculture on the island. Then the cycling adventure continues on the north shore as you travel from Brackley Beach to the famed Green Gables in Cavendish, which inspired Canadian author, Lucy Maud Montgomery, in her writings of the beloved orphan, Anne Shirley. Enjoy an informative exploration of the site led by Parks Canada staff. Continue cycling to the nicely paved bike path at the National Park and take pleasure in the spectacular views of the Gulf of the St Lawrence and sandstone cliffs before meeting for lunch in North Rustico.

Lunch: Boxed lunch.

Afternoon: We’ll be cycling over three significant hills with incredible views of the valleys and fishing villages below. Delight in the rolling hills of the maritime landscape, past the oldest house on PEI, and the oldest active church on the island, St. Augustine Church in Anglo Rustico.

Dinner: Enjoy an oyster presentation and dinner at a local restaurant

Evening: Van transfer and then check into North Winds; the rest of the evening is at leisure.

Activity note: Cycling approximately 27 miles (42.8 km)on paved roads, and over challenging hills near New London Bay. The morning ride consists of rolling hills for 13.1 miles (21 km). The afternoon ride will have some rolling hills, which become very hilly for 13.9 miles (22 km).

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: The day’s cycling field trip commences through Hunter River The, informally nicknamed the "River Clyde". We’ll be doing a loop around the Wheatley River Valley, Hunter River and Rustico Bay. 5km of the loop will consist of a rock dust cycle path. From its source near Hartsville, the river flows northerly, becoming a tidal estuary at New Glasgow, an arm of Rustico Bay which gradually widens to approximately 2,460 ft (750 metres) wide. Then, continue cycling through Brookfield and the village of Darlington in Queens county in the central portion of Prince Edward Island.

Lunch: Enroute around Hunter River.

Afternoon: Continue cycling through the region, a spectacular example of Prince Edward Island’s classic landscape of rolling farm fields. Enjoy the views of the river and the surrounding areas while cycling.

Dinner: Dinner will be a traditional lobster buffet.

Evening: Board coach and return to hotel.

Activity note: Cycling approximately 28 miles (44 km) on paved roads and mostly paved bike paths within the park. Slight hill in the first mile followed by level terrain for a relaxing day of cycling.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: The adventure continues this morning as we cycle from the hotel to the spectacular Prince Edward Island National Park. Encompassing a vast distance along Prince Edward Island’s northern coast, the park is home to salt marshes, sandstone cliffs, beaches, sand dunes, and the remnants of an Acadian forest. Learn about the ecology, history, and culture of PEI with an expert-led walk on the trails of Robinson’s Island. Then let the scenery of the Gulfshore Parkway East amuse you while heading towards Coverhead Harbour at a leisurely pace.

Lunch: Enjoy local flavors of your own choosing at Covehead Harbour.

Afternoon: Explore the Coverhead Harbour Lighthouse where you’ll find a plaque in memory of the 150 sailors who were lost during the Yankee Gale of 1851. Journey to Dalvay-by-the-Sea, a working hotel which was originally built as the summer home of a wealthy American industrialist, Alexander MacDonald. The day will conclude with a bus transfer at 5:45 pm from PEI Preserves in New Glasgow.

Dinner: Dinner will be served at the PEI Preserve Company.

Evening: Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Activity note: Cycling approximately 17 miles (27.4 km) on paved roads and paths. Mostly rolling hills with slight elevation change and one significant hill.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Discover the local views as we journey down Union Road and onto the Confederation Trail which will take us to downtown Charlottetown. The trail will end at Joseph Ghiz Memorial Park, named after former PEI premier. The Group Leader will navigate the group to Victoria Park.

Lunch: A picnic lunch will be enjoyed at Victoria Park.

Afternoon: Explore Beaconsfield Museum, while listening to a lecture. Check-in to the Hotel on Pownal at 3:00 pm.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Activity note: Hotel check-out is at 11:00 am.

Breakfast: Breakfast will be served at 7:30 am. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!